This past weekend we had the pleasure of visiting the Toronto Interior Design Show, better known to the web world as the IDS Toronto 2013.

The show was a great way to see upcoming trends in the marketplace and to check out some amazing art. There were talks from celebrities in the interior design business, including Linda Reeves, Suzanne Dimma, Brian Gluckstein, and Hudson’s Bay Company president Bonnie Brooks among many others.

Some trends continuing throughout 2013 from the show were copper accessories and bathroom fixtures, studded furniture, bold colours, and unique wall coverings (including the up and coming reclaimed wood wall panels). Reclaimed wood tables were also a popular choice for exhibitors at the show.

Every year Pantone releases its color of the year which promptly goes viral and is used in all things design. This year Emerald is the dazzling color of the year from Pantone. Check out a picture of one of our new Greenway fireplaces in an emerald room to give you an idea of what painting with this year’s chosen Pantone color could do for your living space.

With so many ideas on the internet, sometimes you have to wonder how they are all made and if you personally can make them. There are a couple of great websites which show how to make original DIY projects.

Want to start a home project? Ever wondered how something you saw was made? Instructables is a self explanatory website that provides instructions on how to make/do almost any project in the books, all uploaded by users with pictures of their finished projects.http://www.instructables.com/

We have all heard of green roofs, but one has to wonder if it would work in the cold winter months. According to a study done by the University of Toronto, the green roof increased conservation of heat by reducing wind speeds and modifying the micro-climate above the roof. It also found that the potential heating energy savings were roughly between 5.63 percent and 5.95 percent, with savings up to 61 percent for upper-level floors. Read the full article about the study at http://greenlivingonline.com/article/green-roofs-winter

The world wide web is riddled with pictures of fireplace mantel decorations for every theme and holiday possible. But seeing a picture and executing it properly or within your budget seems daunting. This blog provides great insight and information on how to put together a personalized fireplace mantel showcase. This tutorial can be created on both electric or wood burning fireplaces, all you need is a mantel!

If you are going to be, or want to renovate your kitchen, green countertops are a great way to add something new and environmentally friendly into the house. Eco kitchen counters can be a bold focal point or a minimalistic accent thanks to the many different options now available for use. The following articles provide more information on the many types and styles of green kitchen countertops,

Green Living offers narrative on 4 of the most used green recycled countertops:

This article from The Kitchen Designer provides over 15 examples of resources that are used as green countertops and is a great read if you are looking for something beyond the normal Eco kitchen materials:

This weekend the Greenway team will be attending The Canadian Home Furnishings Market in Toronto, Ontario. We will be celebrating the launch of our exclusive new brand of Greenway electric fireplaces and mantels. These stunning designs can be seen from January 12-15th in Hall 5, Booth 5450.

Here is a sneak peak of the amazing mantels we will be showcasing at TCHFM